European stocks showed little direction ahead of the open on Tuesday, as investors closely monitored developments in the U.S.-China trade negotiations.
The U.K.’s FTSE index and Germany’s DAX are expected to open slightly higher, France’s CAC 40 slightly lower, and Italy’s FTSE MIB seen opening 0.11% lower, according to IG data.
Global markets remain focused on the talks in Spain after U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with China were progressing well. A “framework” deal regarding the divestment of Chinese-owned TikTok, announced Monday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, also captured attention. Bessent noted that the commercial specifics of the arrangement have already been settled. Both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss the terms on Friday.
Meanwhile, the U.K. is preparing for the President’s state visit. Trump and First Lady Melania arrive Tuesday evening and will spend Wednesday at Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla before talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surpassed the 45,000 mark for the first time, leading gains across the region.
On Wall Street, S&P 500 futures were flat Monday night after the Senate confirmed Trump’s pick for the Federal Reserve, Stephen Miran, just one day before the Fed’s key rate decision.
European data releases to watch include U.K. unemployment figures, Italian inflation, German economic sentiment, and EU industrial production.